Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Schmutzer.
Hi Elizabeth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My fitness industry background began as a professional ballet dancer. I was on partial contract at the age of 15 and joined on full contract with a professional ballet company when I was 18 years old. Dancers love Pilates and I was introduced to the method as a young teenager while dancing. Once I retired from ballet, I decided to make a very natural transition for most dancers, which is getting certified as a Pilates instructor. I went through the STOTT Comprehensive Pilates Certification Program at John Garey Pilates Studio in Long Beach, CA.
Over the last 20 years of teaching, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work in large gym settings, small boutique Pilates studios, and even in some celebrity homes. One thing that always remained constant was my dream of one day having my own studio. Through the years of working at different studio settings, I was able to really see what worked and what didn’t. I wanted to give MY members a unique, special experience that they couldn’t find anywhere else. I also wanted them to receive the highest quality training in Pilates and Yoga.
eStudio Pilates and Yoga in Oceanside, CA, is a blend of modern and classical Pilates. The Reformers that we use are “gravity” Reformers that use body weight and gravity for resistance instead of the traditional spring-based tension. This equipment is made by Total Gym Commercial, where I previously worked as their Education Director. It was during this time with them that I authored a full manual of traditional Pilates Reformer work reformatted on the gravity Reformer. We also use traditional, spring-based tension apparatus like the Wunderchair and Spring Wall to accompany the innovative Reformer work.
We also offer a full Yoga program of Restorative, Vinyasa, and Aerial Yoga. It was important to me that our studio offer two complementary modalities under one roof, giving our members the ability to mix and match their classes throughout the week. The marriage of Pilates and Yoga is a perfect way to lengthen, strengthen, and relieve mental stress from our everyday lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would have to say that the road has been mostly smooth for me. I have had so many years of experience with other studios that opening e Studio Pilates and Yoga has been, dare I say, (somewhat) easy. I knew the things that worked and the things that didn’t work in a small, boutique setting. Of course, there are always little wrinkles to iron out when you first get a studio started! You never really know what those things will be until they come up. But I’d say, all in all, things have gone very well so far!
The road leading up to opening my own studio has had moments of bumps along the way. I believe I reached a point in my career where there just wasn’t an easy way for me to work for someone else without feeling some resentment. I seemed to always have more experience than my superiors and it’s typical for this to create tension and friction in the workplace. I think I just always had that entrepreneurial bug. I really couldn’t wait to set out on my own and do things my way!
One of the biggest challenges is being a military wife and mother to two young kids while also starting out a “baby” business. Military wives often find themselves needing to put certain professional goals on hold due to the unpredictability of the military member’s work schedule and the possibility of moving from duty station to duty station. It takes a lot of work and commitment to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I’m so blessed to have a husband that supports me as I invest in my own endeavors and personal growth. I also think it’s great that I can show my daughters all that they can accomplish in their lives with hard work and determination!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about e Studio Pilates + Yoga?
I think the best way to understand what e Studio pilates + yoga provides our members is through our mission statement: “e Studio strives to educate, inspire, and transform our members through the power of movement. Our culture for our members is one of support, community, and inclusiveness, meeting each individual wherever they may be on their fitness journey. With education and experience, we integrate tradition and modern innovation in our goal to build a healthier body, mind, and spirit.”
Our studio take a 360-degree approach to wellness, giving the members the opportunity to not just get healthier and stronger physically, but to also really feel the “mind-body” approach to movement, strengthening their brains! They experience the joy and camaraderie of being part of a community of like-minded people for emotional health, and with specialty Yoga workshops like the ones we have celebrating new and full moons, the members can develop and strengthen their spiritual sides.
We are Premier Education Partners with Total Gym Commercial, offering training of the Pilates method on our gravity Reformers. I train each Pilates instructor in the method when they come onboard e Studio to ensure that they can then give our members the very best and safest instruction on such an incredible piece of equipment. This is something that you can’t find anywhere else around San Diego! As our studio continues to grow, our teacher-trainer program will continue to grow as well.
e Studio sets itself apart from other studios in our area due to the focus on proper technique and alignment in the movement. Our focus is more on quality of movement in order for members to really learn proper Pilates and Yoga technique to get the most benefit. We keep our class sizes small for more one-on-one attention and make sure that our instructors are highly trained and experienced. From the inception of the studio, it was my goal to give the members the very highest quality in service, training, education, and a gorgeous studio to do that in!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve been incredibly blessed along the way in my fitness journey and life in general. I don’t know if I would necessarily call it “luck”. I have always believed that we can truly set our path with hard work, determination, and faith. I think that every experience is a teachable, learning moment and moves us forward to where we are meant to be. I have certainly experienced disappointments but without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and for that, I’m really grateful.
Both of my parents are artists that studied Graphic Design. My father has owned his own Marketing and Communications business for over 50 years. I was raised with an entrepreneurial spirit! Both of my parents instilled hard work and confidence in myself growing up. I saw first-hand the struggles and the joys of having your own business and I really believe that “being my own boss” has just always been in my blood!
Along with determination and faith, I have the incredible support of my wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters that remind me every day to remain grateful for what I have and to not give up hope when struggles do come.
Contact Info:
- Email: eschmutzer@pilatesoceanside.com
- Website: www.pilatesoceanside.com
- Instagram: e.studio.pilates
- Facebook: @eStudiopilatesandyoga
Image Credits
Chrissie Kirk
Bella Luce Photography
